Tell me about Italy

[bluebug32]

I'm going to Italy for two weeks at the end of June. We have 2-3 nights in Sorrento, Rome, Florence, and Venice. Does anyone have any tips for traveling to the country? I'm particularly worried about theft, especially because I'll be carrying a DSLR camera. Should this be a big concern (I've heard stories of people's credit cards being overcharged, wallets stolen) or am I making too much of it? Also, any day trip suggestions from these cities? Hopefully, we'll rent some bikes (I don't think I can go two weeks without riding ).

[mimitabby]

Have spent a lot of time in Italy.
Use the same sense you'd use in New York, Chicago or San Francisco and you should be fine.

I've been ripped off once in Italy, and it was the official ticketseller at the train station, routinely giving bad change (we caught him at it the second time)

I don't expect you'll find many opportunities to ride in Rome and Sorrento, but near Florence you might have better luck. I have no experience in Venice.

It helps to look and act like a native. Italian women rarely wear shorts or bold prints or white sneakers for example.

Learn some Italian. Italians love to hear us try.

but yes, there are thiefs in Italy, as well as pickpockets. My husband carried his wallet in his front pants pocket instead of the rear pocket, and don't leave your camera sitting on a table ignored, you know, common sense stuff.
As for day trips, you're going to be so busy in each of those cities that a day trip probably won't be necessary.

[Thorn]

Yep...they're big cities and expect the same as you would in any other big city. People are the same everywhere--both the good and the bad. We got ripped off once with cab change. I'd left the cab to get the bags and DH was jet lagged. We chalked it up to our initiation fee.

When you carry the camera, make sure it is slung over you so it can't be snatched from a scooter--keep it on the side away from the road. Store your money and passport in a money belt.

In Rome, consider renting a bomber bike and riding down the Appian Way. There are places to rent at the city-end of the park. Not fast riding, but a way to be able to see a healthy length of it.

If you're into things archaelogical, a train trip from Sorrento to Pompeii or Herculaneum is a great day trip. There is some nice walking out of Sorrento, down the coast. We were in Sorrento in January a few years back. Off season, but still busy. I wouldn't want to think about riding those roads on a bike in season. Last year's Giro riders weren't happy on the penninsula either. They had the road closed for them, but it twists and turns with a cliff down on one side and a cliff up on the other.

Buon viaggio!

[bluebug32]

Thanks!

And, yes, we're going to Pompeii too.

My biggest concern is with bringing this backpack (camera case in bottom - zips and snaps shut, backpack on top). I wouldn't put anything of value on top, but would have a camera lens in the case (camera would be around my neck).

Do you think backpacks like this are a bad idea? It's hard to open the bottom of this pack while it's on and you feel pressure from what's in the backpack on the bottom and on your back if you're trying to open the bottom compartment.

[OakLeaf]

Our favorite place in/around Venice was the little island of Torcello. But on a short stay like yours, I guess you have to see the major sights - you definitely wouldn't want to miss San Marco. Immediately to the mainland of Venice is a rather industrial area, and you'd probably lose a lot of time trying to get to and from someplace nice to ride. One thing I did notice about Venice proper, that I hadn't thought about before we got there, was the complete absence of adult bicycles (for the same reason that there are no other wheeled vehicles there). You will see small children on bikes in and around via Garibaldi and Biennale park, but seven or eight seems to be about the limit where the kids and their bikes outgrow the tiny islands.

+1 on just exercising common sense and situational awareness to prevent theft. My mom had her purse picked in a very elaborate distraction scheme in Vienna. Tourist cities are tourist cities, and from what little I've seen in two trips and five cities, I don't think Italy deserves the reputation it has among some Americans.

[OakLeaf]

I see a lot of people wearing their backpacks in front on public transport - not only on the vaporetti, but on the trains and buses in US cities. If you're not big busted it's not uncomfortable.

ETA: DH's favored camera bag is the Lowepro Orion: He has backpacks, but of course a camera or lens in a backpack isn't accessible to the shooter, never mind whether it's accessible to pickpockets. The pack comes with a shoulder strap that takes some of the weight off the belt strap.

[mimitabby]

I think the backpack you picked out is fine. When you're nervous wear it in the front.

I love the transvesuviana train that goes from Naples to Pompeii. I imagine it would be SRO in June though (standing room only)


we sat with three little old ladies all the way from Naples to Pompeii. Each of them had photos of their dead parents in their wallets. It was so sweet.